Things to do Alone in Singapore

By Dom Bewley
Things to do Alone in Singapore

Sometimes, you just need some time away from people. Interaction is great and all, but getting some space to be alone and clear your head is necessary once in a while. It's the same with vacations. Some may be fun to spend with friends and family, while others might be better off alone.

So, if you're visiting Singapore this year by yourself and want to know what's good, we've got you covered. In this list of the best things to do alone in Singapore, we'll cover all of the city's best bits while riding solo. And who knows, you might even meet a special someone along the way.

Including:

  • City tours by bus, boat, or bike
  • Gardens by the Bay
  • Nature Kayaking Adventure at Pulau Ubin
  • Virtual Reality Fighter Jet Experience
  • Singapore Zoo
  • and more!
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Image courtesy of Towfiqu ahamed barbhuiya/Shutterstock

Big Bus Singapore

If you're traveling alone, the thought of solo sightseeing probably fills you with giddy glee. Without the hindrance of human connection, you're free to soak up all the culture and landmarks with quiet contemplation and a keen ear. And where better to see all of Singapore's best bits than on a bus tour of the city?

Thanks to the hop-on, hop-off nature of the tour, you can get off at any landmark, explore, and then hop on the next bus to move on. Your audio guide will fill you in on all the history of each stop, giving you insight into the era they were built.

If you're interested in the melting pot of cultures present in the city, take the red line to see the likes of Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam. Or, if you're in it for the spectacle, take the yellow line to see Singapore's most famous attractions like the Gardens by the Bay, Orchard Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore Art Museum, and Raffles Hotel.

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Historical Singapore Bicycle Tour

If you prefer your sightseeing on two wheels with a dollop of adrenaline, then why not take a bike tour of the city instead?

With your expert guide in tow, you'll visit many of Singapore's highlights, including Chinatown, the Singapore River, Boat, Clarke & Robertson Quays, Kampong Glam, The Museum District, and more. They'll make sure to keep you in the loop with the history, culture, and big events that have taken place in each area.

And, over the course of the four-hour tour, you'll work up a nice sweat to boot - the perfect remedy to your calorific evening excursions!

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Singapore River Cruise

And to round out our sightseeing portion of the day, if bikes and buses don't quite cut it, see the city from a different perspective on a Singapore river cruise!

Board a traditional bumboat, and you'll float in style past famous sights like Old Parliament House, Raffles' Landing Site, Fullerton Hotel, Esplanade, The Merlion Park, and Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort.

Just make sure your phones or cameras are at the ready - you'll want to snap dozens of pictures to the envy of everyone else.

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Gardens by the Bay

One of the best things to do alone is to experience nature in its most peaceful form. And in Singapore, you've got the Gardens by the Bay, one of the most recognizable green spaces on the planet.

Over 101 hectares and filled with 1.5 million plants from all over the world, you'll explore indoor and outdoor gardens, lakes, conservatories, huge sculptures, artwork, and more. Its beauty is so widely known that you might even recognize it - many films and TV shows have filmed scenes amid its luscious flora.

Be sure to check out the Flower Dome, the world's largest glass greenhouse. Inside, you'll find displays representative of five continents, including 1000-year-old olive trees. And if you want to add a cinematic sheen to your visit, check out Avatar: The Experience at Cloud Forest. This immersive experience will transport you to Pandora and allow you to marvel at its cascading waterfalls, spiraling walkways, and fantastical creatures.

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Nature Kayaking Adventure at Pulau Ubin

This is the second time on this list we'll be heading onto the water. But this time, you're free to go at your own pace. Well, to a degree. Ketam Island is one of the last villages in Singapore, so go exploring on this kayak adventure!

You and a few others will join an expert guide as you roam the waters around Pulau Ubin, home to Ketam Island. Alongside the rustic village, you'll find plenty of untouched natural beauty, good vibes, and fresh air to fill your lungs with.

And your guide will be happy to fill your withered brain with sweet, sweet knowledge about all the flora, fauna, and culture you'll find. If you're looking for relaxing things to do alone in Singapore, this kayak adventure should be top of your itinerary!

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Virtual Reality Fighter Jet Experience

If you've ever wanted to take to the skies in a fighter jet, you can do the next best thing with this VR Fighter Jet Experience!

Perfect for solo travelers, you'll get basic training from a qualified instructor. Then, you'll hop in the virtual cockpit and be pulling corkscrews, loops, and flashing past American landmarks like the Grand Canyon to the Golden Gate Bridge.

All that without ever leaving the ground. Nice. Then, when you're done, you can attempt landing a multi-million dollar piece of tech. Good luck.

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Singapore Zoo

And finally, we'll end our exploration of things to do alone in Singapore with a little visit to the animal kingdom. At Singapore Zoo, you'll have the chance to meet thousands of exotic animals from across the globe.

If you like orangutans, lions, giraffes, cheetahs, crocodiles, monkeys, rhinos, and zebras, you'll be in your element. But this isn't any old zoo. It's more of an open concept, landing somewhere between a zoo and a safari. That means more space for the animals and happier animals as a result.

And that's everything you need to know about things to do alone in Singapore! Looking for more fun things to do on your vacation? Check out Go City. With our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass, you can pick and choose the best of Singapore for one low price. Even things to do with others, if you happen to meet someone on your solo travels!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Singapore
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Best souvenirs to bring back from Singapore

Fed up of leaving a place with the usual cheaply-made tourist trinkets? Looking for unique Singapore gifts for loved ones back home? Fortunately, Singapore won’t let you down. Yes, you can get a molded plastic Merlion is that’s what you’re after. But with a little bit of local know-how, those looking for something more special can also find exactly that. What are the best souvenirs to bring back from Singapore? We’ve spent some time sifting through endless meters of shelf space to discover just that! Sumptuous textiles Add a Singaporean twist to your home or wardrobe by seeking out the stores and market stalls dedicated to cloth and fabric. Displaying a range of styles, from contemporary to traditional patterns, buying a cut of cloth is a great way of remembering your time in the Lion City. Singapore’s diversity means there’s plenty of choice, with designs originating from the country’s Malay, Peranakan and Indian communities all on offer. From batiks to silks, the range will likely leave you spellbound. There’s a multitude of stores to check out in Chinatown and Arab Street in Kampong Glam. Others are dotted along Little India’s Serangoon Road close to the Indian Heritage Centre. Meanwhile, high-end Holland Village’s Independent Market has a seriously cool selection of tea towels, cushions and tote bags all created by local artists. Each have a very Singapore twist, such as cushion covers honoring the city’s famed chili crab. Tea for two Tea has been at the heart of Singaporean culture since the very beginning. Just a few months after Sir Stamford Raffles claimed the island for the British Empire, it had become one of the key ports in the export of tea. Clipper ships could soon be seen loading in the port before making the months’ long journey to the docks of London. You can stop off at any street side stall to sample the highly-sugared brew that’s the mainstay of everyday life in the city. But for a more laid-back affair, you’ll have to head to Tea Chapter for a tea appreciation experience. Recreating the Chinese tea ceremony in a traditional teahouse located in Chinatown, you’ll get to sample a wide range of teas. These include the very special Imperial Gold Cassia. Made using leaves from Fuijin province in China, the delicate floral brew was even served to Queen Elizabeth II during a visit in 1989. It’s not recorded whether the queen took any back to Buckingham Palace with her, but you certainly can. Alternatively, head to one of TWG’s stores, who are constantly blending and perfecting. Look out for their Singapore Breakfast Tea, which combines green and black teas with a hint of ginger to celebrate the mixed cultural traditions of the island nation. Flower power The must-visit Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome & Cloud Forest demonstrates Singapore’s status as a garden city. But if it needed confirming, this city known for its rampant development has over 300 public parks. And that’s alongside attractions including Singapore Botanic Gardens and Mount Faber. When it comes to gifts made in Singapore, what could be better than taking a piece of this away with you? Although buying live plants can cause you issues at customs, there is still a way to have these memories close at hand long after you’ve said goodbye to Singapore. RISIS, for instance, was founded in the 1970s. Since then, this jewelry and lifestyle store has used the skills of local craftspeople to encapsulate real orchids in gold. The result is an incredible range of necklaces, bracelets, brooches and rings, as well as picture frames, sculpture and even chopsticks. Tomes with a sense of place It’s stating the obvious to say that the best Singapore souvenirs for booklovers are going to be books about Singapore! Thankfully, though small, Singapore has a thriving book industry. This means not only can you find photobooks and histories of the island, but also an abundance of children’s books and novels. Either set in Singapore or written by Singaporeans, SingLit has gone from strength to strength. Look out for the writings of Catherine Lim, Imran Hashim and poet Cyril Wong. Their books can be purchased from all the big bookstore and are sure to add a touch of class to any shelf they rest on. Old and new Meanwhile, all you history buffs out there looking for something extra special from Singapore will delight in the city’s antique stores. With a cluster on the streets running from the northern end of Orchard Road, you won’t be limited in choice either. Displaying items from all around the world, these largely independent stores have stock that ranges from coins to sofas, by way of artworks, ornaments and firearms. There are plenty of retro and vintage goods on show too. But for a gift Singapore is known for, keep an eagle eye out for Peranakan porcelain. This style of brightly-colored ceramics has a distinctly Chinese look. Much of it dates to the nineteenth century, so prices pre-bargaining can be on the steep side. More wallet-friendly modern versions can be found at Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle. Their potters use the last remaining dragon kiln in Singapore to create contemporary examples of the style. Family friendly souvenirs from Singapore Relive your time on the streets of Singapore with the city’s very own version of that family favorite – Monopoly. Replacing some of the original player tokens with a T-Rex, rubber duck and penguin, streets incorporated include Connaught Drive, Orchard Road and Marina Square. Using local currency, the railway stations of the original board game have been replaced with four of Singapore’s MRT (Mass Rapid Transport) stations. Find it in toy shops and souvenir stores across the island. Save on Singapore attractions, spend on Singapore souvenirs Whether you’re buying for yourself or for friends and family, the best souvenirs to bring back from Singapore go beyond the tacky and cheap. Made by skilled artisans, they let you take a little of the city’s culture home with you. At Go City we’re big on memories. That’s why we work so hard to provide travelers to Singapore with savings on admission to the biggest attractions around. That way, you’ll never say you can’t afford that extra souvenir from Singapore!
Alex Birungi
Singapore Slings
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Things to do in Singapore for a Birthday

It’s your birthday, congratulations! The fact you’re spending it in Singapore means you’re a lucky person indeed, so let’s make the most of it. We’ve put together a little guide to ensure your birthday in Singapore will be one to remember. Universal Studios Singapore AJ Hackett Sentosa's Giant Swing Nature Kayaking Adventure at Pulau Ubin Sentosa 4D AdventureLand Virtual Reality Fighter Jet Experience Puzzle Hunts Raffles Courtyard Tiger Brewery Tour CÉ LA VI SkyBar You may be a year older, but that’s not slowing you down. Get the adrenaline pumping with a trip to Universal Studios Singapore - the only Universal Studios park in Southeast Asia. Take your pick from the seven themed areas: Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, Far Far Away, and Madagascar. Enjoy white-knuckle rides like Battlestar Galactica or Revenge of the Mummy, or celebrate a more leisurely, if not a little wetter, birthday party drifting along with the Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure. Plenty of dining options, selfie opportunities, and the chance to grab a cold beverage or two to cool down - a trip to Universal Studios Singapore is a fine choice for those still young at heart, no matter how many candles are on your cake. Hungry for more action? Head over to AJ Hackett Sentosa’s Giant Swing. 40 meters above the ground, you’ll enjoy the stunning, peaceful, panoramic view of the city, before launching through the air at speeds up to 120kph! If you want to slow things down while still keeping the level of awesome nice and high, how about a nature kayaking adventure across the open ocean? When your friends ask how you spent your birthday, tell them you kayaked around a tropical island, before navigating mangroves surrounded by otters, kingfishers, and eagles. If that’s all a little too ‘outdoorsy’ for you, how about moving indoors and celebrating your birthday in 4D? Sentosa 4D AdventureLand combines all the thrills of a theme park without ever leaving your seat. Choose from a mysterious island, the Wild West, an old mine, or a fantasy land. All use state-of-the-art technology to provide an incredibly immersive experience - feel, touch, smell, and hear every crazy detail. More? You want more excitement? Okay, then what are you waiting for? Go fly a fighter jet! From the Grand Canyon to the Golden Gate Bridge, the Virtual Reality Fighter Jet Experience is as close as it comes to flying a real jet plane. The pre-flight briefing ensures you’re familiar with the controls before you take to the open skies and live your Top Gun fantasy. A birthday with friends is always more fun, and what better way to bond than putting your heads together and solving brain-twisting clues in a crazy puzzle hunt? Puzzle Hunt in Fort Canning Park is a military-themed outdoor adventure, where you’ll take on the role of soldiers on a quest to discover the hidden secrets of Singapore’s army. Traversing Canning Park, you run around searching for clues and puzzles to solve. Puzzle Hunt in Little India sees you assume the role of a code breaker, helping an archaeologist dig up clues to unlock a secret treasure chest. Work as a team to solve the riddles while exploring this stunning, iconic area of Singapore. Fancy being an advisor to the King who’s lost his memory? Puzzle Hunt in Chinatown combines deciphering clues with a fun learning experience, teaching you all about the history and modern-day culture in Chinatown. These puzzle experiences are an excellent way to get off the beaten path and gain a unique perspective of the city, all while having fun with friends. For a little more adult fun, how about exploring the cultural beverages of Singapore? You may have tried a Singapore Sling cocktail before, but have you ever had one in Singapore, surrounded by swaying palm trees and majestic white arches, in the very bar that invented the cocktail? No? Then your birthday party needs to swing by Raffles Courtyard and Long Bar. If you’re a beer connoisseur, why not explore the history behind Singapore’s most famous beer, Tiger? Take a journey from milling the grain, to packaging and labeling, to the best part of all - pouring the perfect pint! Taking a tour of the Tiger Brewery will leave your head full of knowledge and your belly full of happiness. Pouring your own perfect pint is a great experience, but it is your birthday after all. You shouldn’t have to lift a finger. If you want the drinks to come to you, treat yourself to an evening of luxury at CÉ LA VI SkyBar at Marina Bay Sands. Sat in the VIP section, 360-degree panoramic views of the city all around, and a frosty beverage in your hand... today is your day! The only question left - how are you going to top it next year? Save on Admission to Top Singapore Attractions Explore the best things to do with a pass for Singapore by Go City®. Select from top attractions with our All-Inclusive and Explorer passes, where you’ll enjoy access to galleries, museums, tours much more. Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity in your vacation photos and we’ll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook channels for exclusive competitions, special offers and events to help you make the most of your travels.
Adam Fraiel
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Discover the top Singapore spring events 

Spring in Singapore is a delight. The months of March, April and May sit neatly within Singapore’s dry season. There’s therefore little rain, although the odd thunderstorm can still strike early on. At the same time, humidity is low and though sunny, Singapore in spring isn’t oppressively hot either. The result is a plethora of Singapore spring events to watch out for. They range from Vesak Day to the Singapore International Festival of Arts, meaning you won’t be left reeling for things to do. If you’re heading to Singapore in March, April or May, be sure to add these top events to your list of must-visit attractions! Spring cultural events in Singapore Usually taking place in early April, the Chinese festival of Qingming continues to have a powerful hold over Singapore. Normally translated into English as Tomb-sweeping Day, it’s best thought of as a day to celebrate lost loved ones. Families with Chinese ancestry across the island head to the gravesites of parents and grandparents. But far from being a somber occasion, Qingming is celebratory in nature. Tombs are cleaned and freed of vegetation, whilst gifts of food such as rice and wine are often brought as offerings. Easier to spot for passing visitors to Singapore in spring is the burning of paper money. Now often purposely bought ‘fake’ notes, burning the money allows it to ascend into the heavens for use by the ancestors. Very different in outlook is May’s Vesak Day. Commemorated by Singapore’s Buddhist communities, it’s sometimes also known as Buddha’s birthday. Marking the birth, enlightenment and death of the holy figure, adherents participate by laying flower garlands at temples and releasing birds in an act symbolizing generosity. Little India’s Temple of a Thousand Lights (Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya) helps lead the celebrations, and all are welcome. Getting out and about in Singapore in spring Equally hospitable but completely different again is Singapore’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations on or around March 17 of each year. The two day street festival takes place on Boat Quay in honor of Ireland’s patron saint. Centered around a parade which takes place on Circular Road, there’s lots of activities aimed at kids, alongside ample opportunity to grab a pint of Guinness. It would be rude not too after all! Spanning four weeks from May into June, the Singapore International Festival of Arts is one of the most popular events in Singapore. And with good reason. Matching the work of local artists with those from countries around the world, its performance schedule includes the traditional and the contemporary. The visual arts are well represented, but so is the theater, dance and music. Celebrating the rejuvenation of the Singapore River from polluted industrial water way to favorite hangout spot is the Singapore River Festival. Throughout April Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay play host to a series of special events, in addition to their bar and restaurant terraces. They include workshops and movie screenings, as well as the chance to buy a specially prepared picnic hamper for those looking to linger. Explore the outdoors with Singapore spring events If you thought you had to head to Tokyo to experience sakura (cherry blossom season), think again. In recent years, Singapore has become a great alternative. Gardens by the Bay hosts a dedicated Sakura Japan Fair at the end of March. Visitors can take in more than 20 different species of flower in white and pink. There’s also a Japanese street fair, tea ceremonies and various other events linked to the land of the rising sun. But the essence of sakura can also be enjoyed at several other locations thanks to Singapore’s reputation as a garden city. Jurong Lake Park to the west of downtown is one spot, alongside the largely unknown Japanese Cemetery Park in residential Hougang. Then take advantage of the clear blue skies to enjoy the open-top ride of Big Bus Singapore. A one day ticket puts you in easy reach of many of Singapore’s top attractions, meaning there’s no excuse for missing Singapore Botanic Gardens or even a drink in the famed Raffles Long Bar. Don’t forget about Singapore’s incredible museums! The weather outside might be perfect, but you shouldn’t forget about Singapore’s museums. The country’s oldest is the National Museum of Singapore, an organization dedicated to detailing the history, art and culture of Singapore and Singaporeans. Standing pride of place on Stamford Road, it contains thousands of fascinating artefacts, from ancient carvings to seats from Singapore Airlines first A380. Although small, The Battlebox (the popular name for Fort Canning bunker) is no less fascinating than the National Museum for history lovers. It focuses on the sometimes-traumatic events of the Second World War in Singapore. Delving over nine meters beneath Fort Canning Hill, it was used as a British command post before the island surrendered to Japanese forces. Today it’s set up to depict the last days in the Battle of Singapore, having been lost and then rediscovered in 1988. Switching away from Singapore’s illustrious history, the ArtScience Museum intertwines these two disciplines in 21 galleries located within the lotus flower building at Marina Bay Sands. Its 6,000 square meters of exhibition space are given over entirely to temporary exhibitions, meaning you never quite know what to expect. The world of Harry Potter, photography of Annie Leibovitz and Egyptian mummies from the British Museum have all featured previously. How to save on Singapore attraction admission We all want our money to stretch further. And now it can. Travel with Go City in hand and you can make savings on admission to many of Singapore’s top attractions. From art galleries to puzzle hunts we’ve got you covered! So why not check out whether our All-Inclusive or our Explorer pass is right for you? Then share your adventures in Singapore with us by tagging @GoCity or using the hashtag #GoCity on your socials to feature on our Instagram or Facebook pages. Here you’ll also discover all the latest news from Go City, alongside exclusive competitions, special offer deals and even suggestions for your next vacation!
Alex Birungi

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